Driving mechanism for automobiles.



J. H. HERTNER.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION HLED MAR. 2o, 1913.

. Q Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

` 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

J. H. HERTNER. DRIVING MEOHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLCATION HLED MAR. 20| |813. I

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

2 SHEETS- SHEET 2.

.Zin/gior @y ya? @d 74222225 ses: Y @5dr-14 rrErrcrNn-n, `F CLEVELAND,CHIC, AssIGNoR To THE BAKER n e L COMPANY,

Limena;

being herein` explained and the best mode vin which-.I have contemplatedapplying that principle, so ast-o distinguish it from other inventions.v

-The presentlinvention, relating as indicated to driving mechanism forautomobiles, has more particular regard to the provision of a Worm geardrive for the -dierential or compensating gear'vin the rear axleyhousing which drives the respective. rear axle seetions;` Inv theattempt to utilize the Worm gear type of drive inthe connectionjustind'icatedfno little diiiiculty .has been experie'nced; foi-,pn.accountkof'the trying nature of the service to which such gears are putin' 'anautomobile, itis'essential that they be as'nearly perfect'both intheir surface and adjustmennas possible, and practically the onlywwvayin `Which to inish such gears is to r-urrthenr in under-vconditionsWhere their working can bercaref'ully observed.

The' object ot-t'h'e-'present invention, ac- `c ordingly," isto-p1ovidea construction or mounting for s'ueh worm gear drive which Willpermit`of theconvenient testing oil.- 1 of the latterbnqthe block, land oneAvvhic V1ii en't,to assemble the structure as an en tiretyI inthe rearaxle structure Without disturbing such adjustment.

,.O'various mechanical formsin- Which the principle "oithe invention maybe used.

xiflnsaid-annexeddrawings z-Figure 1 is a. ierticallongitudinalsectionthrough a rear axle embodying my"- present improvements; Fig; :2 isver-tical..transverse section of ,such

rear naxle;Ut'alrenfso'n the yplane indicated `by or CLEVELAND, oHro, ACORPORATION or.oH1o..

vSpecieation of Letters liatent.

ill., make vitj'aolssible,after the gears vhavelieen.A put-intoperfectrunning order and adjust* DiaIVINGNnCnANIsM son AUTCMCBILES.

" Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

Application tiled March 20, 1513. Serial'No. 755,627,

transverse section taken on the plane indi- Cated by the line 3-3, Fig'.l; Fig. 4 is a broken elevational view of one member of the gear supportforming a feature of the present invention; While F ig. 5 is a similarview of a complementary member.

'The central feature of the rear axle struc'- ture, as illustrated in Fig. l, is' the support whereby the driving Worm and the differentialmechanism are` both carried. This support comprises in part a hollowcylindrical member or casing l, illustrated by itself in F ig. 4, thatis provided on one side with an integral spider 2,' the center 3 ofwhich supports an annular bearing for the reception of one of thehub-like ends 4 of the drum 5 that carries the differential mechanism,proper. The other side of the casing is adapted to be closed by acomplementary spider-like member G shown byvitsel` in F 5 which isprovided at the center With a semi-annular bearing support 7 adapted toaline with main member 1. of the casing when the tWo members or' 'parts'of said casing are bolted together.

The bearing thus provided serves to support the other hub .8 of thedifferential drum 5, such hub 8 being longer than hub 4,. for.

a purpose presently to be described. The remaining half of the bearingfor this hub 8 of the differential drum is provided by'a cap 9, as shownin Fig. 3. The bearing thus 'provided is threaded in its outer portion,

` `4.(See Figs. l and 5), to receive a sleeve 10,

"which carries the inner races for ball bearings, lL-l) and 13, three innumber, two of said bearings, viz. 11 and 12 being thrust bearingstotake up the endvvise thrust of the differential housing, While theother bearing carried in said sleeve 10, as Well as the bearing 14carried at the centen?) by the other member 1 of the housing, are plainlrotatable, that is, radial, ball bea-rings. Such last-named bearing 14is endvvise slidable in the center 3 of member l, 'so that by rotatingthe sleeve l0 the threaded engagement thereof with the bearing 7 inmember G'will serve to longitudinally adjust the entire differentialcasing. The sleeve is pro' vided with a toothed flange l5 vat its innerend with which a dog 16 is adapted to Cooperate, so as to look saidsleeve in adjusted position. v n

l :The construction of the'dii'erential mech anism, proper, is of noparticular interest .in the present connection, except to note that thelarge gear 17 carried bythe dierential 4 housing 5 is a worm gear'instead of the -usual bevel gear. The diiferential gears 18,

. proper, are'mounted in the 'housing 5 in the -usual fashion andreceive the inner ends of the shaft-sections 19 which are connected attheir-outer ends with the wheels (not shown) -as Will be readilyYunderstood. Said gears 18 are driven by lpinions 20 carried 4by agfourarm spider 21,-the detailed construction of which .is preferably that'shown in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,029,793, dated v June 18, 1912.

v,The worm 22 for'.driving the gear 1-7 on theV differential drum ,5 isjournaled inthe upper portion of the supporting casing member v1, thisDrtion of said .casing mem'- yber being formed as shown in Figs. 2 and3, in order to provide the necessary space for the reception ofthe wormand its bearings.

"The latter comprise ordinary ball bearings l .23 and 24, at'eachend,.and a double thrust bearing 25,.'at the4 outer end of the Wormspindle 26.. Adjustment -o f the worm, when necessary, is effectedentirely from such outer end, the outer race of the bearing 23 at theinner end being simply slidabiy held in 'the seat'provided in thehousing. T he ends of the latter. are closed by caps 27 and' 28,respectively, which prevent the entranceof dust linto they casing andthe escape of lubricant therefrom. Theinner end 29 of' the worm spindle26, which "projectsthrough the corresponding cap 27, is squared andI lthreaded for connection with the driving or `propellingfshaft (notshown) as need not be explained in detail. I

The structure thus far describednvith the exception of theshaft-*sections 19, the inner ends of Vwhich are removably .held in thehubs 'of the differential gears 18, ie an inclusive structure and maybeassembled as a unit, quite independently tof the remainder of theArear-axle h'ousingi ySuch housing otherwise comprises two tubes 3.1Withtheir inner ends 32 enlarged and flanged to it against thecorrespondingfsides of the casingwhich supports the diiierentialmechanlsm and Worm drlve, bolt?` 33 securing the tubes and casingsolidly.. together. The

same'bolts are adaptedto serve this purpose and to unite the two members1 and (i com- 1 prising 'said casing.

By reason of the self-contained character of the drivingand dit'erentialmechanism,

it Willbe seen that= such mechanlsm may' be completely assembled,adjusted and tested apart from `the rest of the-axle and car.

-Indeed itv may be set upon the block andl actually run in order notmerely to test the connections of its gears andV the accuracy of theiradjustment, but also to work in the gears, Whichishighly important inthe case of worm gears, if they are to give satisfactory service. Whensuch mechanism 1s finally put in proper running lcondition, it may beincorporated in the axle structureA without disturbing the adjustment inany Way. Such assembly is quite simplified, i.n`

deed', involving merely the bolting` of the tubes 31 onto the casingwhich supports the mechanism in question.

It will 'be understood that 'the general.

mode of assembling the gear is not dependent on the preferredarrangement of the radial'and thrust bearin sfor the difieren-A tialdrum.- In other wor s, instead of using double thrust' bearings 11 and12, both located vat'one end. of the drum, one such thrust bearing couldbe located at the other end 'of said` drum with the radial bearing v I14. This modification is'so simple as not to'v require separateillustration.' 1n such event, 4it would be necessary, of course,

to -provide an adjustable sleeve, or carrier,

for the' bearings at thisend of the drum,

.the same as at the first-mentioned end, and V'adjustment would involvethe 'up of a hollow substantially .cylindrical member.v formed centrallyonone side with an annular bearing support,and al separablecomplementary memberfclosingthe other side of said first member andformed with an alined bearing support; a dilierential' drum havingoppositely 'projecting hubs supported in said bearings, respectively; a

Worm gearcarried by said drum; and aY Worm for driving said gear,journaled in said irst casing-member transversely of the,

axis of said drum.

2.. In mechanism of the Vcharacter described, the combination of acasing made up of ahollow substantially cylindrical I'nember.v formedcentrally on one side with an `annular bearing support, and a separablecomplementaryy member ,closing the other side of .said first member andformed, with an alined bearing support; radial bearings carried in eachof said supports and a thrust bearing carried in the support in saidseparable member; a differential drum having oppositelyprojecting hubssupported in said radial.` bearings, respectively1 lone such Ahule beingalso-held in said thrust bearing; a

worm gear carried by said drum; and; a

-worm .for driving said gear, journaled in -hla'nism-of the character.de-

In me scribed,` combination of a casingemade. upf,.f'),i ..a--` hollowsubstantially cylindrical m'emberfformed -centrally on one side withanannular"bearingsupport, and a separable complementary member closingthe` other sidegfof zsaid `.first :member and@ formed ywithanalinedbearing support; radial bearings v,carried jingeach of saidsupports and a thrust bearing earried n-t-he support in said separablmemhergmeans .adapted to axially adjustsa-idthrrust bearing; adiiferential drum havingioppofsitely proiecting hubs supportedinsaidradial bearings, respectively` one suchhub being also held in saidthrust bearing";a worm gear carried by said drum; and a worm fordrivinggsaid gear, journaled in saidirstcasing-member transversely ofthe axis 'of l said drum.

4. Inr mechanism` of the character described, {thecoinbination of vacasing made up of; a. substantially cylindrical member formed/ centrallyenfone side with an annular ,bearing support; and a complementarymember, closing the other side of said first member and formed with analined bearing supportpa sleeve longitudinally adjustably secured insuch last-named bearing support;

.a differential drum 'having oppositely projecting-hubs, .one `such hubbeing slidably journaled in the central bearing support of saidirstycasingfmember, the other such hub being'non-slidably journaled .insaid sleeve; a worinfgear carried by said drum; and a worm for drivingsaid gear, journaled in said irst casing-member transversely of the axisof said drum. Y

5. In mechanism of the character described, 'the combination of a.casing made- .up of a substantially cylindrlcal member formed centrallyon one side with an annular bearing support, and a complementary memberclosing the other side of said first member and formed with asemi-annular bearing support alined with such firstnamed support, suchlast-named support being internally threaded; a cap completing suchlast-named bearing support; a sleeve secured in and having threadedengagement with said last-named support; a differential drum havingoppositelv projecting hubs, one such'hub being slidably jo'urnaled inthe central bearing support of said first casing- 'memben the other suchhub being non-slidv ably journaled in said sleeve; a worm gear carriedby said drums; and a worm for drive mg said gear, Journaled 1n saidfirst casingdrum. v

-6. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of twooppositely extending axle tubes having enlarged inner ends; asubstantially cylindrical casing inmember transversely .of the axis ofsaid terposed between andvhaving its opposite sides secured to said tubeends, respectively so asvto rform therewith ya vcomplete axle housing;al .dilierential drum-directly mounted in anclwliolly supported by saidcasing; a worm gear carried by said drum; and a worm for driving saidgear, journaled in said casing. transversely of the axis of said drum.

7. In mechanism of the character de scribed, the combination of twooppositely extending axle tubes having enlarged inner ends; asubstantially cylindrical /casing interposed between and having itsopposite sides secured to said tube ends7 respectively so as to formtherewith a complete axle housing; axially alined radial and thrustbearings carried by said casing; a diierential drum journaled in saidbearings so as to be wholly supported by said casing; a worm gearcarried by said drum; and a worm for driving said gear, journaled insaid casing transversely of the axis of said drum.

8. In mechanism of the character de.

scribed, the combination of two oppositely extending axle tubes havingenlarged inner ends; a casing secured between said tube ends so as toform therewith an axle housing, said casing being made up of a hollowsubstantially cylindrical member formed centrally on one side with anannular bearing support, and a separable complementary member closingthe other side of said first member and formed with an alined bearingsupport; a differential drum having oppositely projecting hubs supportedin said bearings, respectively; a worm gear carried by said drum; and aworm for driving said gear; journaled in said first casing-membertransversely of the axis of said drum.

9. In mechanism of the Character described, the combination of twooppositely extending axle tubes, having enlarged inner ends; a'casingsecured between said tube ends so a-s to form therewith an axle housing;said casing being made up of a hollow substantially cylindrical memberyformed centrally on one side with an annular bearing support, and aseparable complementary member closing the other side of said iirstAmember and formed with an alined bearing terposed between. and havingits opposite side secured to said tube ends, respectively' so `as toform therewith a complete axle housing;

a differential dru'm directly mountedl in and j wholly supported by saidcasing; means carried by said ca sing adapted to axially adjusttheposition of .said drum; a worm gear car ried by 'said drum; and aworm fordriving said gear, journaled in saidgcasing transversely of theaxis of said drum. p l

11.' In mechanism of the character described, the combination of twooppositelyextending axle tubes having enlarged inner ends; asubstantially cylindrical casing inter-` posed between and having itsopposite sides secured to said tube'ends, respectively soas to formtherewith'a complete axle housing;

axially alined radial and thrust bearings carried by said casing; adifferential drum journaled in said bearlngs so as to be whollysupported `by said casingmeans adapted to adjust the position of saithrust bearings to correspondingly axially adjust said drum; a worm gearcarried by said drum;- and a worm for driving said gear, journaled in.said casing transversely ofthe axis of said drum.

.12. In mechanism 'of the character described, the combination of twooppositely I Attested bying hubs, one such hub being slidably journaledin the central bearing support of said first casing-member, the othersuch hub beinging non-slidably journaled in such alined bearing support;and a worm fordriving said gear, journaled in said vfirst casingmembertransversely of the axis of said drum.

13; In mechanism of the character de-4 scribed,` the combination of twooppositely extending axle tubes having enlarged' inner ends; :teasingsecured between said tube` ends so as to form therewith an axlenousing,`said casing being made up of a substantially cylindrical memberformed centrally on one side with .an annular bearing sup` port, and acomplementary member'closi'ng the other side of said rst member andformed with a semi-annular bearing supl port alined with suchfirst-named support; such lastfnamed support' being internally threaded;a cap completing such last-named bearing support; a sleeve secured inand having threaded engagement with saidlastnamed support; adifferential drum having oppositelyl projecting hubs, one such hub beingslidably journaled in the central bearing support of said firstcasing-member, the

other such hub being non-slidably journaled in said sleeve; a worm gearcarried by said drum; and a wor-m for driving said gear, journaled insaid first casing-member transversely of the axis' of said drum. l

Signed by me this 15" day of March;

JoHN H. HERTNER.

H. B. FAY, JN0. FQ OBERLIN.

